Police want to re-launch a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the Hirael and Garth areas of Bangor and are appealing for support from residents.
Community Beat Manager PC Joanna Clark, who only recently took over responsibility for the area, said that she was keen to re-launch the scheme as soon as possible and was asking for volunteers to become co-ordinators.
She said: “As part of our current neighbourhood action plan we plan to re-introduce the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to the Hirael and Garth areas of Bangor. Our priorities are to make residents feel safer, raise awareness of local issues and to deter and detect anti-social behaviour and crime in the area. Revising the existing scheme will also provide another tool for the police to engage with its community.
“We have already started to hold regular meetings with residents at the local swimming baths and have placed a post box there for comments and now we want to look again at Neighbourhood Watch.
“We are looking for co-ordinators to help us run the scheme, police will tell co-ordinators about crime spates or potential concerns, such as cold callers in the area, and then they can inform their neighbours.
“Members will then be contacted by their co-ordinator which could be done in person, by telephone or by e-mail. Streets which have a co-ordinator will then have a Neighbourhood Watch Street Sign erected and all residents involved in the scheme will have window stickers.
“We will also be working with residents and encouraging them to mark their property so that everyone knows it is Neighbourhood Watch area.”
She said that police would arrange quarterly meetings with the co-ordinators and offer crime prevention advice and arrange talks or visits from other Police and Emergency Services Departments.
Anyone wishing to become a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, or would like further information about becoming one can contact CBM 2361 Joanna Clark on 07891523313, or PCSO 2884 Caryl Thomas on 07929368349.
